BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson has transformed in the past year from an undrafted rookie learning a new position to defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s pick for the team’s MVP on defense.

Gipson believes his dramatic improvement is entirely cerebral.

He admitted that opposing quarterbacks manipulated and confused him last season, but he is convinced he has turned the tables this year. He hopes to keep it up on Sunday when the Browns (4-5) visit quarterback Andy Dalton and the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) for a crucial game with playoff implications.

“When you’re a deep, middle-of-the-field safety, there’s a lot of ground you’re responsible for,” said Gipson, who played cornerback in college at Wyoming. “I specifically remember one game against (Baltimore quarterback Joe) Flacco. It’s like he was kind of controlling me, navigating me where he wanted me to go and throwing the ball opposite."